Written Answers Nos. 275-298
275. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the national orthodontic waiting list initiatives currently being applied in Cork and Kerry through the National Oral Health Office; the reason uptake from private providers in Cork remains minimal despite the severity of waiting times; the alternative measures being considered to reduce a waiting list that has grown to 2,980 patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40635/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
276. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE South-West region remains on target to address all community audiology clients waiting over 52 weeks by the June 2026 deadline as stated in the Cork Oireachtas Briefing of 18 May 2026; the measures put in place to sustain the reductions achieved in waiting lists for children aged 5 to 17 years, children aged 0 to 4 years, and adults; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40636/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible
277. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the reason new psychology vacancies arising in HSE South-West after March 2026 have been submitted for approval pending REMT approval due to regional whole-time equivalent ceiling limits; whether these ceiling limits are preventing the timely filling of posts that are critical to reducing primary care psychology waiting lists in Cork and Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40637/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
278. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the current number of patients on the primary care psychology waiting list in the HSE South-West region; if she will confirm whether the ten additional primary care psychology posts recently approved following a business case submission to the South-West REMT will be sufficient to address current demand; and given that six of the seven staff grade posts remain to be filled through the 2026 exiting trainee cohort, the contingency measures are in place if those posts cannot be filled from that cohort; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40638/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
279. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the current average waiting time for Irish cancer patients to access newly approved medicines; if she will confirm whether the average waiting time of 644 days, as documented by patient advocacy organisations, accurately reflects the current position; the interim measures being put in place to reduce this waiting time given that the new framework agreement does not commit to meeting the 180-day statutory standard under the Health Act 2013 until end of March 2029; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40639/26]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical devices; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
280. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the proportion of innovative oncology medicines approved at European level that are currently available and reimbursed in Ireland; the reason this proportion remains at approximately 25% given that the 180-day reimbursement timeline has been a legislative requirement under the Health Act 2013 for over a decade; the accountability measures that will be put in place to ensure the phased timeline under the new framework agreement is met at each stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40640/26]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical devices; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
281. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the current status of the proposed expansion of the drugs group to include patient and public interest members as committed to under the new framework agreement on medicines published in March 2026; whether an expression of interest process has been initiated to identify suitable patient representatives; given that no such process has been publicly announced to date, the timeline for when this expansion will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40641/26]
View answerTwo new Framework Agreements with Medicines for Ireland (MFI) and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) on the supply and pricing of medicines (FASPM) were signed in March 2026 following extensive engagement and negotiation with the pharmaceutical sector.
The Agreements will enable faster access to new innovative medicines for patients. They also reflect the Government’s commitment to ensuring security of supply for essential medicines, reducing the risk of medicine shortages for patients while safeguarding the sustainability of the health services.In line with the commitments arising out of the IPHA agreement, the HSE have advised that it is focusing on increasing the capacity of the HSE Drugs to enable them to review more applications. In 2026, the membership of the group will increase significantly and there will be the appointment of a deputy chair. By Q4 2026, the HSE aim to have the additional members and meetings in place.
The HSE have advised that the additional capacity will continue to be realised in 2027. Some of this capacity will be used to address and finalise any applications currently pending a notice of proposal. The HSE have already issued a number of notice of proposals in 2026 and continue to progress these.Minutes of Drugs Group meetings will continue to be published on the HSE website with commercial in confidence information redacted: healthservice.hse.ie/staff/information-healthcare-workers/pcrs/corporate-pharmaceutical-unit/.
282. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if she will provide a specific update on the design and implementation of an early access scheme for medicines in Ireland, as referenced in the new framework agreement on medicines published in March 2026; whether a pilot has been announced or a design process initiated that includes patients and clinicians; the timeline within which a functioning early access scheme will be operational for Irish cancer patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40642/26]
View answer290. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1239 of 19 May 2026, to provide further details regarding the strategic partnership established with the pharmaceutical sector to develop an early access programme for rare diseases; the status of this work; the timeline she is working towards for operationalising this programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40680/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 282 and 290 together.
The Government recognises the importance of timely access for patients to new medicines and supporting those living with rare diseases in Ireland. Budgets 2021-2025 allocated €158 million for new drugs, and Budget 2026 allocated an additional €30 million. Since 2021, this funding has facilitated the introduction of 270 new medicines, including 74 medicines for rare diseases and more than 100 for treating cancer.
The Year 1 cost of a new drug comes from the allocation for new medicines, but it should be noted that once these medicines are approved for reimbursement the full cost of providing them can reach multiples of this initial cost as their uptake increases.
Ireland is among the highest spenders on health across the EU (OECD), with the third-highest rate of State coverage of pharmaceutical expenditure in Europe.
There are formal processes which govern applications for the pricing and reimbursement of medicines, and new uses of existing medicines, to be funded and / or reimbursed. The HSE is the statutory decision maker for the pricing and reimbursement of new medicines under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The HSE considers the criteria set out in the Act. The Minister for Health has no role in decisions on pricing and reimbursement.
The State has successfully negotiated new Framework Agreements with Medicines for Ireland (MFI) and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA), on the pricing and supply of medicines.
These agreements include commitments to reaching pricing and reimbursement decisions within 180 days, excluding stopclocks.
In addition, the developers of new medicines will aim to shorten the timeline to submit medicine reimbursement applications in Ireland to within six months of formal authorisation by the European Commission. Together these measures will enable faster access for patients in Ireland.
The Programme for Government contains a suite of measures on medicines which my officials will seek to progress over the lifetime of this Government. As part of the Agreement talks, the State and the pharmaceutical sector have agreed to establish a strategic partnership on the development of a sandboxed early access programme for rare diseases.
This will be a proof of concept initiative, aligned with the commitments in the Programme for Government. As this work progresses, it will be essential that we take account of the views of patients, of industry, and of clinicians. The mechanisms involved are complex, and the potential impacts must be carefully considered to ensure any future system is fair, effective, and sustainable. In parallel, my officials have commenced work examining reimbursement systems in use across the European Union.
283. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the current timeline for the procurement and full implementation of the national One Health Record electronic health system; if she will confirm whether patients will have access to a patient portal as part of the rollout given that St. James's Hospital has almost completed its electronic health record implementation with no patient portal currently in place for patients; the steps being taken to ensure that the procurement process, expected to extend to 2027, does not further delay patient access to their own records; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40643/26]
View answerThe timeframe for delivery of the National Electronic Health Record has many dependencies including sanction through the infrastructure gates set in place to manage investment programmes of this scale, a series of successful procurements and agreement on associated contracts, investment, resources and technical capacity to deliver. All of these are being addressed in a structured and urgent manner.
Patient portals are a mechanism to provide patients with access to a range of digital services, information and in some cases patient data itself. To date, the state has invested in EHR systems at a number of sites including St James Hospital in Dublin. There is a proposal under consideration in relation to enabling a patient portal at St James but there are also considerations in relation to how we make these capabilities available to patients and citizens more generally. One such consideration is whether it is fair and reasonable to have a different portal for every health facility so that people have to have a separate login and password for every hospital/ portal they are given access to. We expect portal access for parents of children at the new children's hospital will be especially popular. There are also commercial considerations in terms of how the state wants to fund such initiatives and how best to avoid duplication of costs etc.. Nonetheless we are mindful of the benefits that such portal can provide and the opportunity of being able to do this relatively quickly compared to the possible timing of the national health record. The HSE Health App and National Shared Care Record are relevant in this regard..
284. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to address the finding that Ireland ranks last among 29 European countries for patient access to eHealth services and is the only EU member state not currently offering eHealth data to patients; the specific obligations Ireland faces under the EU European Health Data Space regulation regarding electronic access to patient records and cross-border sharing of health information; the timeline has been set for Ireland to meet those obligations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40644/26]
View answerIreland ranks last among EU member states because for so long we have not recognised the need to prioritise investment in digital health as a key enabler for reform of the health service and the need to meet the expectation of patients (and the clinicians who treat) that they should have better access to their own health information. There have always been competing demands for investment in different parts of the health service and that is a legitimate issue.
The 'Digital for Care (2024 - 2030)' strategic framework, published in 2024, sets out a clear roadmap to address this challenge. Evidence from other countries is very clear. To make progress in digital health as a key enabler for reform, and to provide better access to data required a sustained commitment in terms of leadership, vision, investment and expertise to deliver.
We are already seeing tangible improvements. Whilst still ranked behind other EU member states, the EU Digital decade scores for Ireland have improved from 0% in 2022 to 11.5% in 2023, 24.5% in 2024 and we expect the score for 2025 will be 44% (a 79% improvement over 2023). No other country is demonstrating this rate of progress and we are conscious that demonstrating this rate of improvement will get harder as scores get higher. We will nonetheless maintain our focus to improve significantly every year and over the lifetime of Digital for Care and beyond that.
285. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health her response to survey data (details supplied) based on a survey of approximately 1,280 cancer patients, showing that 69% of respondents did not know they had the legal right to access their own medical records and 84% did not know how to request access; the public awareness measures being put in place to ensure patients are informed of their rights; the steps being taken to address the finding that 12.6% of patients who formally requested their records were refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40645/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
286. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the specific measures being taken to reduce waiting times for cancer patients to receive scan and blood test results, given that 92% of cancer patients surveyed by an organisation (details supplied) rated receiving results as soon as available as very important, and given that patients have described waiting three to four weeks for scan results as a form of torture; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40646/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
287. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health if harm in rare disease pathways has been known at ministerial, departmental, and HSE service level for years; the reason the State has still not fully activated an independent national structure capable of preventing drift, ensuring policy cohesion, and delivering timely intervention instead of prolonged exposure to avoidable deterioration, through numerous domains; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40647/26]
View answerThe Deputy may wish to note that I launched the National Rare Disease Strategy 2025-2030 on 27th August 2025. This landmark strategy sets out a vision to improve the lives of the estimated 300,000 people living with rare diseases in Ireland.
It outlines a comprehensive framework designed to enhance diagnosis, treatment, and support for people living with rare diseases, aiming to improve quality of life, promote equitable access to healthcare, and foster innovation in rare disease research and treatment.
The Strategy's 11 recommendations also emphasise the importance of developing and enabling earlier diagnosis, integrated care, data and registries, research and innovation, and access to orphan medicines. By addressing these areas, the Strategy aims to create a more inclusive healthcare service that meets the complex needs of people living with rare diseases.
The National Rare Disease Office (NRDO) is the coordination hub for rare disease related activity within the Irish healthcare system. The NRDO provides information on the National Rare Disease Information Service, Care Pathways for rare diseases, ERNs, national social care supports, research projects and educational resources.
288. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the reason binding national and international obligations under both the UNCRPD and the UNCRC has failed to translate into front-line practice, when people continue to report violations, weak accommodation, poor disability competence, and the need for civic society to repeatedly do so much of the work of Government, simply to secure basic compliance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40648/26]
View answerThis PQ is not for the Department of Health. We respectfully request that this Parliamentary Question be redirected to the Department of Children, Disability and Equality as the matters raised fall under their remit.
289. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to examine issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40674/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
291. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the current state of Ireland’s preparedness for utilising the EU’s Joint Clinical Assessments, JCA, on clinical trial data in evaluations by the HSE and the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE); when she expects such JCA’s to be applied to such evaluations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40695/26]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical devices; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
292. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the guidance that has been issued to Irish marketing authorisation holders regarding the process, timelines, and expectations for considering the EU’s Joint Clinical Assessment (JCA) by the HSE and the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE); the way JCA reports will be factored into the reimbursement recommendations for treatments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40696/26]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical devices; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
293. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason a patient (details supplied) referred for a dental operation has been refused by a number of hospitals for a number of different reasons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40768/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
294. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of the reasons behind the layoffs in an education centre (details supplied). [40319/26]
View answerThank you for raising the matter of the management of staffing resources associated with the delivery of adult education provision, in the Galway Adult Basic Education Centre, which is operated by Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board.
Firstly, I wish to assure you that I am aware of the issues you have highlighted. However, it is important to provide some context, as well as details regarding this specific case.
As you know, the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) provide free English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes for those who needs support in developing English language proficiency. Courses range from beginner to intermediate levels, as well as advanced or professional ESOL.
Following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022, significant temporary funding was allocated to support ESOL provision for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. These temporary allocations enabled ETBs to meet urgent and exceptional levels of demand during the emergency phase of assisting displaced Ukrainians in Ireland.
While this temporary funding facilitated a rapid expansion of ESOL classes across the country, it was always intended to be time-bound. I wish to acknowledge the fact that ETBs and their staff showed significant commitment, flexibility and creativity in responding to this unprecedented demand, and their efforts supported thousands of newly arrived individuals in integrating into Irish communities.
In 2025, SOLAS provided €2 million in temporary ESOL funding to this particular ETB. A total of €2.28 million spent on ESOL during that year. This funding allocation allowed for 2,750 unique learners to avail of ESOL courses in 2025.
It is important to note that ESOL provision has not ceased. ESOL programmes continue to be delivered across all ETBs within their core allocations. The ETB in question, for example, forecasts that approximately 3,100 beneficiaries will access ESOL provision in 2026, according to its draft Annual Service Plan.
The cessation of the temporary funding for ESOL provision is not a cut to overall funding. This funding was explicitly non-core and time-limited, and its conclusion does not alter the core allocation. In line with Budget 2026 parameters, funding for ESOL has returned to its 2021 core allocation level of €4.2 million. However, SOLAS' overall funding allocation to the ETB concerned has increased from €49.175 million in 2020 to €65.707 million in 2026.
SOLAS and Education and Training Boards Ireland have been engaging with ETBs in recent months to assess the impact of the cessation of temporary ESOL funding. SOLAS has advised my officials that ETBs are assessing how best to adapt provision within their core allocation. SOLAS is establishing a working group to examine the impacts of the transition away from temporary funding and to explore approaches to maximise ESOL provision within the annual allocation.
ESOL programmes are typically delivered by ETB staff employed under existing grades and terms, including tutor roles and the newly established Adult Educator grade.
With respect to individuals employed at this grade, ETBs are the employers and, as such, are responsible for staffing matters. They are required to have appropriate policies and procedures in place to manage any issues that may arise, which are in line with employment legislation, where relevant.
295. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a schedule of contracts will be provided that his Department and bodies under his aegis have had with an organisation (details supplied) and/or its subsidiaries; the value of each; the type and-or name of each project; if any project has been abandoned, paused, put on hold and completed; if any projects over ran on cost and delivery; and if so, the details of same. [40419/26]
View answerMy Department has entered into no contracts with the company in question.
The information in respect of aegis bodies, within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document, should the Deputy wish to contact the aegis bodies directly with their query.
296. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps being taken by his Department to broaden access to graduate entry medicine programmes across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40470/26]
View answer297. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the financial supports available to prospective students of graduate entry medicine programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40471/26]
View answer298. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of places offered to but subsequently not accepted by prospective students of graduate entry medicine programmes in the period of 2022-2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40472/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 296 to 298, inclusive, together.
I recognise the importance of and I am committed to reducing the barriers to participation in higher education. Expanding provision in areas of acute skills shortage is a priority I am committed to delivering through the Programme for Government.
I fully appreciate the significant financial pressures facing students, particularly those on Graduate Entry Medicine programmes, and the importance of ensuring that finance is not a barrier to accessing third-level education.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce supports for students studying Graduate Entry Medicine. I have tasked my officials to work closely with colleagues in the Department of Health to progress this commitment in a constructive and practical way, with a focus on affordability, sustainability and the long-term medical workforce needs of the State.
It is important to note that substantial State support is already provided for Graduate Entry Medicine. The Exchequer part-subsidises tuition fees for GEM places across all institutions, and recent Budget measures have significantly increased the value of this subsidy - rising from €11,950 per student in 2021/22 to €16,930 for graduate entrants currently in 2026, representing approximately €13 million in annual public funding. This significantly reduces the costs faced by students, with the remaining fee levels determined by higher education institutions.
In addition, GEM students may access a range of existing supports, including the Student Assistance Fund, National Access Plan bursaries, tax relief on fees and rent, the Fund for Students with Disabilities where eligible, and the continued availability of the 1916 Bursary for eligible students progressing to GEM.
I have asked my officials to examine a range of potential future support models, including financial and incentive-based approaches, such as State-backed loans, as part of cross-Government work. This includes considering how any further measures might support both affordability and the retention of graduates within the Irish public health system. No decisions have yet been taken, and any proposal would require careful consideration and budgetary approval.
My Department does not hold data regarding refusals of places on higher education programmes. The Central Applications Office (CAO) is an independent body which processes applications to tertiary education programmes on behalf of the institutions. Further information regarding the application process is available on the CAO website here: www2.cao.ie/downloads/documents/2026/GraduateEntryMedicine2026.pdf.
